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Merthyr Tydfil company make a difference to Scottish Veterans through football

Merthyr Tydfil based company DJ Rees Decorating Services Ltd have gone the extra 500 miles to support Veterans from Scotland.

The Save Our Service Veterans group in Glasgow recently received equipment worth £500 from DJ Rees Ltd and it has been put to use in their garden therapy sessions to help former Military Personnel overcome their hidden psychological wounds.

The group of Veterans were keen to return the favour and travelled south on Friday to show their gratitude for the donation, accepting an invitation to play in a football tournament hosted by DJ Rees Ltd at Penydarren Park, the home of Merthyr Town FC.

Teams from Systems Electrical, an Armed Forces property contractor, and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who were captain by Reservist Tim Davies, took part in the event to raise awareness for the needs of Veterans.

Mr Dai Rees, the Company Director of DJ Rees Ltd, said: “We are very proud to give a helping hand to those who have served us and it’s an ethos we encourage everyone to have. The difference we can make to Veterans is very rewarding and there are mutual benefits that flow both ways.

“The football tournament has been a great opportunity to raise awareness and link Veterans together with other employers. They have been able to gain a greater understanding of challenges facing Veterans and consider how we can all support each other to maximise our capabilities.”

Systems Electrical walked away as the overall winners after six-competitive games, edging a close final against fellow unbeaten team Save Our Service Veterans. The winning team’s captain then gave the trophy to the tourists as a souvenir of their trip.

The relationship between DJ Rees Ltd and Save Our Service Veterans began randomly through the business networking website Linked In. Mr Rees responded to a request for garden tools, which the group needed to work on a piece of ground they had gained a land lease for.

An online Wish List was set up and Mr Rees, a former rugby player for Swansea RFC, purchased the equipment for them to collect from their local B&Q store in Parkhead. He also added anti-climb paint to combat vandals and six warm work coats which were instantly appreciated.

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales provided the visiting Veterans with free accommodation at Merthyr Tydfil Drill Hall, affording them the opportunity to cap the trip with a tour of Penderyn Whiskey Distillery and a trek to the peak of Pen Y Fan.

In October, DJ Rees Ltd became the first Welsh company to win the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award following their long standing support of the Armed Forces community, giving back to those who have given for their country.

They were presented with the honour by HRH Prince William in London after recruiting Service Leavers directly from the Armed Forces Employability Scheme, providing flexible working conditions for Reservists and sponsoring Cadets, who gain practical skills and academic qualifications.

Employers wanting to follow in the footsteps of DJ Rees Ltd can become a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. Visit www.Wales-RFCA.org/Employer-Engagement for more information.

Congratulations are due to cadets from Dyfed & Glamorgan and Clwyd & Gwynedd Army Cadet Forces for their successful applications to embark on the Jubilee Sailing Trust Lord Dannatt’s Round Britain Challenge.